December 2017
31
Dec
Chofetz Chaim Daily 12-13 Teves
Chofetz Chaim Daily 12 Teves 7:2 Asur to say rechilus about an am haaretz. About a Talmid Chacham is much worse a)its probably false b)it violates the mitzvah to honor and respect him c)worse ramifications (i.e. can ruin his influence, create a big fight, he will lose his position).
Chofetz Chaim Daily 13 Teves 7:3 Asur to tell someone that ploni badmouthed him. Likewise asur to tell that to someone’s wife & relatives – they’ll get upset at ploni. 7:4 Much worse to say rechilus to a non-Jew about a Jew, because he may harm the Jew. Asur to denigrate a product or service that a Jew provided for a non-Jew.
28
Dec
Chofetz Chaim Daily 10-11 Teves
Chofetz Chaim Daily 10 Teves 6:8 Asur to believe rechilus even if it was a casual remark. See Hilchos LH Chap 7:10-14 for all laws of masiach lefi tumo. 6:9 Mutar to believe rechilus if you have circumstantial proof ONLY if a)there’s no way to favorably interpret the evidence b)proof is directly related to the story c) you witnessed it yourself d) there is a toeles e) you can’t share the rechilus with others & can’t harm ploni. 10)see sefer for practical application.
Chofetz Chaim Daily 11 Teves 7:1 Laws of rechilus apply to all Jews. No difference if subject is a man, woman or child. The Chofetz Chaim warns against telling parent A that child B hit his son because it can cause a big feud (unless all conditions have been met – discussed later).
27
Dec
Chofetz Chaim Daily 9 Teves
Chofetz Chaim Daily 9 Teves 6:5 Mutar to believe rechilus told to you by a trustworthy person ONLY if the info is crucial & he saw it firsthand. 6:6 Trustworthy means someone who never lies, & you trust him like 2 witnesses for all matters. 6:7 Today, we can’t determine who is trustworthy, so you can’t believe it.
26
Dec
Chofetz Chaim Daily 8 Teves
Chofetz Chaim Daily 8 Teves 6:3 If somebody lost a government job or contract, asur to suspect that a Jew informed on you. Even if you hear that ploni informed on you, asur to believe it. Even if ploni is quiet, it doesn’t mean he agrees to accusations. 6:4 Asur to believe rechilus even if many people told it to you or its a popular rumor.
25
Dec
Chofetz Chaim Daily 7 Teves
Chofetz Chaim Daily 7 Teves 6:1 Asur to believe rechilus even if it was said in the presence of many people. 6:2 Asur to believe rechilus even if said in front of the subject. If he doesn’t protest, it doesn’t mean he agrees to the story. Anyway, why believe someone who’s saying useless info & committing many sins, to ruin the reputation of a good person?!
24
Dec
Chofetz Chaim Daily 6 Teves
Chofetz Chaim Daily 6 Teves 5:6 If one is sure that ploni spoke about him, but what he said can be understood in 2 ways, one is obligated to judge ploni favorably. 5:7 One who believed rechilus must remove the story & negative feelings from his heart. Assume whoever told you didn’t have the facts straight, and do teshuva to Hashem.
23
Dec
Chofetz Chaim Daily 5 Teves
Chofetz Chaim Daily 5 Teves 5:5 The Chofetz Chaim bemoans the widespread practice of people asking others what ploni said about him & ploni’s opinion of him. It is destructive behavior and transgresses many negative commandments.
21
Dec
Chofetz Chaim Daily 3-4 Teves
Chofetz Chaim Daily 3 Teves 5:1 Asur to believe rechilus (i.e. harbor negative feelings toward ploni who allegedly damaged you.) 5:2 Asur to listen to rechilus. If the info being said is crucial for one’s safety, he may not believe, but may take the necessary precautions to protect himself.
Chofetz Chaim Daily 4 Teves 5:3 If one has significant reason to suspect that ploni plans to hurt him, he may ask people to protect himself. However, he must specify why asking. 5:4 See Hilchos LH chapter 6 for further details. When listening to info, one can’t BELIEVE anything, and ploni still has chezkas kashrus. Asur to harm ploni, harbor negative feelings, or free oneself of financial obligations to him. One must also benefit him like any other Jew.
20
Dec
Chofetz Chaim Daily 2 Teves
Chofetz Chaim Daily 2 Teves 4:1 Rechilus is asur even if not supplying any new info. Rechilus is also showing one that what ploni did to him is bad. 4:2 If Reuven badmouthed Shimon in front of 2 people, and one told Shimon, the second may still not tell Shimon. It will increase negative feelings. 4:3 Teshuva for rechilus includes repentance to Hashem and appeasing aggrieved parties.
19
Dec
Chofetz Chaim Daily 1 Teves
Chofetz Chaim Daily 1 Teves 3:2 Reuven may not say to Shimon, I heard you spoke rechilus about me. This would be rechilus about Levi who told him. 3:3 One may not tell anyone what Reuven did to Shimon. Besides for being LH, the news may spread and Shimon will find out. Asur to tell someone that ploni badmouthed his children/relatives because he will dislike ploni. 3:4 To tell someone that Reuven badmouthed Shimon so that he will be able to admonish Reuven, see Hilchos LH 10:6.
